Facts about the spine

The vertebral column, also called the spine or backbone, is made up of multiple vertebrae that are separated by spongy disks and classified into 4 distinct areas. The cervical area consists of 7 bony parts in the neck; the thoracic spine consists of 12 bony parts in the back area; the lumbar spine consists of 5 bony segments in the lower back area; 5 sacral* bones; and 4 coccygeal* bones (the number of coccygeal bones can vary from 3 to 5).

(* By adulthood, the 5 sacral vertebrae fuse to form 1 bone, and the 4 coccygeal vertebrae fuse to form 1 bone.)

Facts about the pelvis

The pelvis is a basin-shaped structure that supports the spinal column and protects the abdominal organs. It contains the following:

Sacrum. A spade-shaped bone that is formed by the fusion of 5 originally separate sacral vertebrae.

Coccyx (also called the tail bone). This is formed by the fusion of 4 originally separated coccygeal bones.

Three pelvic (hip) bones. These are:

Ilium. This is the broad, flaring portion of the pelvis.

Pubis. This is the lower, anterior or front part of the pelvis.

Ischium. This is the part of the pelvis that forms the hip joint.

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Facts about the shoulder

The shoulder is made up of several layers, including the following:

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Bones. These include the collarbone (clavicle), the shoulder blade (scapula), and the upper arm bone (humerus).

Joints. These facilitate movement and include the following:

Sternoclavicular joint. This is where the clavicle meets the sternum.

Acromioclavicular (AC) joint. This is where the clavicle meets the acromion.

Ligaments. A white, shiny, flexible band of fibrous tissue that holds joints together and connects the various bones, including the following:

The joint capsule is a group of ligaments that connect the humerus to the socket of the shoulder joint on the scapula to stabilize the shoulder and keep it from dislocating.

Ligaments that attach the clavicle to the acromion

Ligaments that connect the clavicle to the scapula by attaching to the coracoid process

Acromion. The roof (highest point) of the shoulder that is formed by a part of the scapula.

Tendons. The tough cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones. The rotator cuff tendons are a group of tendons that connect the deepest layer of muscles to the humerus.

Muscles. These help support and rotate the shoulder in many directions.

Bursa. A closed space between 2 moving surfaces that has a small amount of lubricating fluid inside; located between the rotator cuff muscle layer and the outer layer of large, bulky muscles.

Rotator cuff. Composed of tendons, the rotator cuff and associated muscles hold the ball tightly within the glenohumeral joint at the top of the upper arm bone (humerus).

Recent Studies

More Patient Input, Better Spine Outcomes

Not long ago, researchers measured spine surgery outcomes based on technical expertise, fusion rates, deformity correction and equipment failure. But that only told half the story, says health services researcher Richard Skolasky, an associate professor of orthopaedic surgery and director of The Johns Hopkins Hospital’s Spine Outcomes Research Center. “Patients,” he says, “are the experts in their own experience.

Survey Shows Spine Surgeons Need to Screen More Patients for Anxiety and Depression

In a report published in the Journal of Spinal Disorders and Techniques, a Johns Hopkins team says that only 10 percent of orthopaedic surgeons and neurosurgeons follow professional guidelines that recommend routine psychological screenings of patients prior to major surgery for severe back and leg pain.